Rudy Rivera, Jessie Villasin and Mimi Casas perform the ceremonial opening moves that kick off the one-day GMG Youth Chess Challenge Rapid Chess Tournament for 15 and under on Saturday, May 20.City.Contributed photo Mandaluyong City Christian Mendoza of Antipolo City was undefeated and emerged as the champion in the GMG Youth Chess Challenge Rapid Chess Tournament, aged 15, on Saturday, May 20 at the Open Kitchen Food Hall, Rockwell Business Center in Mandaluyong City. Mendoza finished with 6.5 points in seven rounds of the Swiss system format tournament with the top bag of P5,000 and the champion's medal in his pocket. "I knew this was a tough tournament with solid players competing. I just tried to do my best," said Mendoza, 15, a grade 10 student at Antipolo National High School. Said. Rizal, second to sixth place respectively, Jian Carlo Rivera of Rodriguez; National Master Al-Basher "Basty" Cainta, Rizal; Allan Gabriel Hilario of Manila; Colonel, Jeanne Marie Arcinue of Legazpi City; and all 6.0 National Master Oshrie James Reyes from Santa Rita, Pampanga. Top seedling master Christian Gian Karlo Arca of Dasmariñas finished in seventh place for Cavite, while Arena International Master Gabriel Ryan Paradero of Pasig City finished eighth with the same 5.5 points. news for Manila Times' daily s by with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Third seed Mendoza opened the Tournament with six straight victories over Xian Aiken Cuartero, Delia Marie Penaverde, Lira Placer, Jude Angelo Dableo, Allan Gabriel Hario and Women's National Master Jersey Marttio. Organized by Bayanihan Chess Club and sponsored mainly by Thailand-based coach national veteran Gerald Ferriol, GMG Chessfest is an FID-rated tournament approved by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines. Overseen by the Philippine Referee Chess Confederation , the event aims to develop good thinkers through an understanding of chess strategies and tactics, instilling participants' rational thinking and rational thinking, and a sense of self-confidence, self-worth and companionship. Supporting the event were the Balinas family, Aurelio of China and Mimi Casas of Open Kitchen, and Richard Poblete-Ramos of Eurobake Restaurant-Bakeshop. Earlier, Atty.Rodolfo Enrique "Rudy" Rivera and Jessie Villasin made the ceremonial moves kicking off the one-day tournament. Mimi Casas, Marco Polo Sanido and Alisangco brothers Novenik William and Nikonov Samuel also graced the opening ceremony. Gotopnews.com